Minister for Media Catherine Martin has announced €725 million worth of funding to RTÉ over the next three years, as part of its multi-annual funding plan.

The funding is set to increase yearly,  starting from €225m next year, €240m in 2026, and €260m in 2027. Funding will come from both the existing TV Licence fee and the Exchequer.

“What has been agreed today provides financial stability for RTÉ for future years, coupled with reformed fee collection methods,” Minister Martin told reporters. “This is unprecedented.”

“Guaranteeing that funding, that future, is an accomplishment that will serve viewers, listeners and audiences – that will serve all of our society.”

Minister @cathmartingreen announces Government agreement on funding of @rte and Public Service Media.

For full details see ➡️ https://t.co/Ls3J3Unw4k pic.twitter.com/O7GNzMsK7d

— Tourism-Culture-Arts-Gaeltacht-Sport-Media (@DeptCultureIRL) July 24, 2024

The funding plan was welcomed by RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst.

“This commitment over the next three years is significant in enabling RTÉ to plan ahead with certainty as we focus on delivering more for Irish audiences as outlined in our five-year strategy,” he said, adding that it would help the national broadcaster to “continue the necessary transformation of RTÉ and the restoration of trust,” in the aftermath of the payments scandal which rocked the organisation last year.

Minister Martin also confirmed a potential fixed penalty notice and statutory exemption scheme for people who do not pay the TV Licence fee. It was revealed that An Post will retain the contract to collect licence fees and that €6m in extra funding will be allocated to help increase the rate of collection.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the “retention and strengthening” of the licence fee collection system would provide RTÉ with an important independent revenue stream.

“It is important in terms of the independence of media (rather than) total dependency on Government and also in terms of the broader issues around democracy and freedom of the media,” he said.